The cost of college tuition is rising every year, and students are graduating with more and more debt. It's important for you to find as many sources of financing as you can to reduce the debt you will have to repay when you graduate so you can get the fresh start that you need for your career.

Grants are a great resource for financing your art education. They come in small and large amounts for your tuition and other education-related expenses, and you don't have to pay them back.

Here are a few tips for how you can find grants to pay for your art school education:

Search Government Agencies

There are a number of government agencies that provide grants for education, some specifically for the arts.

The National Endowment for the Arts (http://www.nea.gov/grants/apply/artsed.html) is one of the largest suppliers of grants for art students and working artists.

You can also try the Federal Student Aid (http://studentaid.ed.gov/) department and find out about general federal grants here (http://www.fsa4counselors.ed.gov/clcf/grants.html) that can be used to attend any college of your choice.

Petition Community Groups and Private Organizations

Many businesses sponsor their own grants and advertise these opportunities privately on their web sites. Start your search with local organizations that have an art affiliation, such as galleries or museums.

You are likely to find more grants that specifically support the arts from these businesses, and being a local student may help your chances of winning these grants.

Then expand your search to other businesses and community groups to find other chances to win grants that can be used on the program of your choice.

Talk to Your Admissions Counsellor

Each college sponsors its own grants and scholarships. Once you have been accepted into a program, talk with the admissions counsellor about the opportunities for grants. Then work with your counsellor to create the strongest application that you can in order to improve your chances of winning. You can get tailored feedback on creating your application from someone who has behind-the-scenes experience with the selection process.

Look Into Possibilities with Your Job

Many companies offer their employees grants or tuition assistance, or they offer their employees' children grants. Many times, tuition assistance is only given for a program that can enhance your current position. However, the grants should be able to be used on any program that you choose. Talk with your employer and find out what's available to you -- and make sure your parents check on opportunities for you with their employers also.

Finding grants can help you pay for your art school education so that you don't have to take on expensive student loans. You can use these tips to help you find enough grants to pay for a significant portion of your education, if not all of it.

About the Author:

“Chloe Trogden runs www.CollegeGrant.net, which serves as an up-to-date college guide for thousands of people all over the world. Her leisure activities include camping, swimming and playing her guitar.”